Chapter 129: Because of the Team Leader
Because of the team leader.
And the scene that unfolded before him was clearly different from any other audition he had been to. For one, there were overwhelmingly more people in attendance.
What did they say earlier?
They said that everyone from team leaders to department heads and section chiefs had gathered, and at a rough estimate, it looked like there were well over a dozen people.
“Oh, it’s Ha Muyoung?”
“Is Ha Muyoung next?”
“Ah, the one recommended by Team Leader Kang Ok-kyung?”
They sat at a long ‘ㄷ’ shaped table, shuffling through papers. Kang Ok-kyung patted Muyoung’s shoulder encouragingly and smiled. Then, she leaned in and whispered quietly so no one else could hear.
“Remember this. I’m a fan of Ha Muyoung, and I respect actors. The company handles planning and investment, but we handle production. Once it’s confirmed and we move forward, we’ll treat you as the best in the industry, no matter what.”
“Oh, can I really expect that?”
“Yes. So, let’s win this. There are as many preselected candidates as there are people here.”
She whispered rapidly like a machine gun, then went and sat in the middle of the table. Muyoung was surprised by her unexpected words and followed her with his eyes.
‘There are preselected candidates?’
Just like Muyoung himself.
He was a preselected candidate from the Investment Team, recommended by Kang Ok-kyung, and Cha Seungeon was a preselected candidate recommended by the Content Business Team.
Many of the actors outside must have also received a call from someone here.
‘But aren’t there people who didn’t?’
Hmm. Well. Probably not.
In this company, where value is proven through results, auditions were like small battlefields.
The actors they brought in with their own judgment had to be chosen, and those actors had to produce good results.
“Hello, I’m Ha Muyoung.”
His only ally was Kang Ok-kyung.
It was going to be a fierce audition, where they would be looking for flaws rather than strengths.
“Nice to meet you.”
He politely greeted them and looked for a chair.
But he couldn’t even see the legs of the chair.
“Oh, I’m sorry, but could you proceed while standing?”
“Yes?”
One of the attendees noticed and made a request.
“There are a lot of full-shot CG and action scenes, so we want to get a feel for your overall physical presence. Is your profile still accurate as written here? These days, there are so many kids who lie. Haha.”
“Muyoung seems taller.”
“Yes, that was from last year.”
A screen slowly descended behind him.
It felt more like giving a presentation than an audition.
It felt like a newcomer presenting a plan to their company superiors. The space felt more like a conference room, which probably added to that feeling.
Zing-
“Well then, welcome, Ha Muyoung.”
The man sitting in the middle grabbed the microphone and formally announced the start of the audition. He didn’t know who the man was, but it was clear that he was the one running the show.
“Looking at your filmography, I see you’ve been in
“I’m currently working on a movie called
“Ah, I see. You also won the Baeksang Arts Awards for Best New Actor as soon as you debuted, right? And you were jointly nominated in the drama category.”
“Yes, I was fortunate enough to receive it for
“Your acting skills, well, there’s been a lot of talk about them… so I’ll take that as a given.”
Take that as a given?
It was only then that Muyoung felt something was off.
He thought it was just because the environment was unfamiliar, but no.
There was no mention of the
“How’s your schedule for the second half of the year? It seems like you’ll be busy with the movie release and all.”
“Yes, it’s all about making time.”
“That’s good. That mindset. Haha.”
“But you look more robust than I expected.”
“You think I’ll look good on screen?”
They sat there, chattering away as if they were looking at a product. Muyoung glanced over at Kang Ok-kyung.
‘I’m sorry.’
Kang Ok-kyung conveyed that to him with a slight frown.
Muyoung sighed inwardly and put on a bland smile. Well, he came this far, so he should do his best. Yeah, sure.
“Ha Muyoung.”
“Yes?”
“There doesn’t seem to be much action in your filmography.”
“In
Muyoung answered their relentless questions sincerely. Most of them were about scheduling or experience.
“…Well, that’s good. Still, you should read the lines, right? Kim Team Leader?”
Finally, he received the script.
Well, it was more like a couple of sheets of paper.
Muyoung quickly skimmed through it to gather information.
‘A reclusive protagonist inherits an old building and continues his boring life, but suddenly the world ends? And it turns out the building has special powers…’
It was a survival story centered around the building. Oh, this could be interesting. Was it based on a novel?
The role Muyoung applied for was, of course, the protagonist, Kim Kido.
“Let’s hear your lines.”
“Yes, hmm!”
He cleared his throat and quickly grasped the context.
A man who became a god through the power of the building. His words were law and truth. His voice, without even using a microphone, rang out clearly.
“Stop! One more disturbance like this, and”
“Oh, you startled me.”
Does he have a microphone in his stomach?
How does he have such great vocal projection?
Muyoung naturally used the space given to him and walked slowly. Then, with a solemn air, he scanned the faces of the attendees.
“I will expel you all. In this building, there should be no violence, lies, or slander. Do you understand?”
It was like watching a theater performance.
He had heard rumors that his acting was good, but for someone so young, he had incredible charisma.
Even those who were ready to nitpick and mock were surprised and stopped.
“I am the owner of this building.”
He delivered his lines while standing, without any podium or anything.
He didn’t fidget with his hands or have an awkward posture, but Muyoung stood tall. It was as if he had the power to pull them into his performance, and they felt like they were tenants in the story.
Tenants who feared the words of the building owner, Kim Kido.
“And you are the people living in my building. If you don’t like it, get out. I won’t stop you.”
It was a very short line.
Muyoung smiled brightly and lowered his pointing finger.
The first to react was Team Leader Kang Ok-kyung. She clapped lightly and asked cheekily,
“Your acting is really good. Did you do theater?”
As if she knew nothing about the actor she brought in.
“No, my teacher was from the theater world. I learned a lot from them.”
“What do you think is the strength of your acting?”
“Hmm, I think…”
Muyoung paused to think.
The strength of his acting?
“Aren’t you taking too long to think? Haha.”
A man who had been spacing out laughed and interrupted. As if to say, do you have that few strengths? But Muyoung answered firmly.
“There are so many that I don’t know where to start. If you want, I can tell you my weaknesses. I’ve only been acting for two years, so I still have a lot to learn on set.”
Kang Ok-kyung raised her eyebrows in admiration.
He was still a college student, so he probably hadn’t been to many job interviews, but his answer was impressive. It was a textbook answer.
He acknowledged his weaknesses but emphasized that they were due to external factors and not his own shortcomings, and implied that they would naturally be resolved over time.
“Ah, two years. Yeah, you’re still a rookie. Maybe that’s why your acting is a bit lacking.”
“…?”
“…!”
The attention of everyone in the room was drawn to a man’s muttering. Like Kang Ok-kyung, he was one of the investment team leaders, Team Leader Park.
‘He has no conscience. After seeing that?’
‘Team Leader Park is really something.’
‘I wonder who he brought in to be like that?’
“If you give me more time to memorize the script, I can show you a better performance. One of the strengths of my acting that I thought of is its absorptive power. No matter the situation, I can make you believe it’s real. Since it’s a fantasy work, I think that’s important.”
Team Leader Park sneered at Muyoung’s clear words.
“If you had unlimited time, everyone would be good. It’s because time is limited that we need someone skilled. If you can’t show it right now, you can’t.”
Just as Kang Ok-kyung was about to say something to defend him,
Muyoung smiled and asked,
“If I show you, will you choose me?”
“Haha! If you can, sure. But I don’t know.”
No matter what brilliant performance he gave, Team Leader Park would probably find fault with it. It was opposition for the sake of opposition. Kang Ok-kyung suppressed her annoyance as she touched her lips.
‘You’re wasting your energy on useless things.’
She was confident.
That Ha Muyoung’s present and future would shine brighter than any other actor. Just as Kang Ok-kyung was about to speak again,
“Haa- Haa-”
Muyoung, who had been standing still, leaned on the edge of the table and breathed heavily. No matter how deeply he inhaled, it seemed like he couldn’t get enough air. Was there a filter stuck in his lungs? His breathing became increasingly unstable.
“Ha Muyoung?”
“Haha, are you trying to act like you’re sick?”
Unlike Kang Ok-kyung, who called out to him in concern, Team Leader Park laughed as if he knew exactly what was happening.
No matter how much you freak out, I won’t budge!
“…I’m fine. I…sometimes do this.”
“Are you uncomfortable? Your face…”
“Ah…”
Muyoung clutched his chest and slowly slumped forward. His legs, which had been slowly giving way, suddenly lost all strength, and he collapsed completely.
Boom-!
“Oh my!”
A fine tremor ran from his fingertips to his toes. His eyes rolled back, and his face turned deathly pale in an instant. Foam dripped from his mouth as he made strange groaning noises.
“Gah… ugh…”
“Uh, Team Leader Park?”
The employee next to him called out to him, looking unsure of what to do. Team Leader Park was taken aback but tried to act nonchalant as he crossed his arms.
‘What, what’s going on? All of a sudden?’
Intellectually, he knew it was acting.
He knew, but…
He couldn’t help but feel a creeping unease. Everyone watched Muyoung, stealing glances at Team Leader Park.
“Help, help…”
“Muyoung!”
Kang Ok-kyung, unable to bear it any longer, rushed over to him. Some people stood up with her.
“Gah-! Cough!”
“Breathe! Try to breathe! Outside!”
“Get someone from the medical room!”
“Call 119! 119!”
Only then did the others rush over to check on Muyoung’s condition. His eyes were unfocused, and his limbs trembled like an aspen. His entire body stiffened as if electricity were running through it.
“What, what’s going on? Is it real?”
Only then did Team Leader Park cautiously approach Muyoung, looking worried. It can’t be. How could someone who was fine just now suddenly…
“Ti, ti, Team Leader…”
Only the black of his left eye returned. Muyoung slowly reached out his hand toward Team Leader Park.
“Is it because of you, Team Leader?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
Team Leader Park was taken aback by someone’s words and shouted.
“People can have seizures when they’re suddenly stressed or something.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why are you getting angry? I’m just saying.”
“There are things you should and shouldn’t say!”
It seemed like he might end up taking the fall.
It was absurd, and Team Leader Park was furious. The employee barely managed to restrain him.
“Team Leader, Ha Muyoung…”
Muyoung’s trembling hand was still reaching out into the air. Team Leader Park approached him with a displeased look.
Damn, if he says something stupid here, it’ll be a real mess.
‘What if he says it’s because of me? No, that can’t be. He’s not some weak-minded celebrity—’
“It is because of you, Team Leader…”
“What?”
Then Muyoung grabbed his tie and whispered, a peaceful smile on his face, as if he had never had a seizure. He wiped the foam from his mouth with the tie and grinned.
“Since you were fooled even though you knew it was acting, does that mean you acknowledge me now?”